Elder abuse and exploitation is a silent crisis affecting every corner of our country. Whether it is mistreatment at an assisted living facility or a parent exploited by an adult child, elder injustice is happening more often than you might think.
Each year in the United States, hundreds of thousands of adults older than 60 are physically or psychologically abused, neglected or financially exploited, and 1 out of every 10 older adults experience elder abuse. But many of the cases go unreported because victims experience fear of retaliation and shame or are physically or mentally unable to report.
Public interest law is one critical tool to help curb the abuses and support the victims of elder abuse. The challenge is how to ensure that public interest lawyers (of which there is already a shortage) are positioned to respond to the needs of older adults, especially in underserved communities.
